Control console and seating arrangement for motorized watercraft

Abstract

A novel rotatable seating arrangement for a motorized watercraft has an integral console with instrumentation and watercraft controls thereon to allow the watercraft's operator to control operation of the watercraft from one location, and to perform other functions, such as fishing without obstruction from the console and from the same position while retaining the ability to control the watercraft. The seating arrangement has a generally upright pedestal fixed to the watercraft's deck and a platform pivotally mounted atop the pedestal. A seat is fixed to the platform for supporting the operator in an upright seated position, the seat and platform being rotatable about a longitudinal axis of said pedestal to make available to the operator a 360 degree viewing area while operating the watercraft from the seated position. A locking system on the platform engages the pedestal for controlling rotation of the seat. A control console for carrying watercraft instrumentation and controls is fixed to the rotateable platform adjacent the seat within reach and view of the operator to allow operation of the watercraft while seated. The control console includes a left side portion to the left side of a seated operator and a right side portion to the right side of a seated operator, which side portions are located just above the height of the base of the seat to avoid interfering with the seated operator's use of hand-held equipment. An engine throttle and shift controller is located on the left or right side portion, and a steering controller is located on the other side portion, to allow the operator to operate the watercraft in the seated position regardless of the rotation of the seat.

Description

The present invention relates to a motorized watercraft which is an improvement over conventional watercraft having either tiller steering or remote steering arrangements.Most motorized watercraft, particularly those used for sport fishing, have either a tiller steering system or a remote steering wheel system. Both systems have disadvantages and inefficiencies which have not been addressed to date.A tiller steering system relies on human effort to maintain steering control of a motorized watercraft, or boat. This is done by pushing or pulling on a steering arm which extends into the boat from an outboard motor pivotally connected to the back, or stern, of the boat. The pushing or pulling action on the motor's steering arm pivots the motor and directs the motor's propeller thrust to change the boat's direction of travel. The operator's steering arm also controls the throttle by twisting the wrist, like on a motorcycle.There are several problems which such conventional tiller steerin...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

In one aspect the invention provides a novel pivotal operator's seat having an integral console with instrumentation and boat controls thereon to allow the operator to control operation of the boat from one location, and to perform other functions, such as fishing, without obstruction from the console and from the same position while retaining the ability to control the boat.

an engine throttle and shift controller on one of said left and right side portions, and a steering controller located on the other one of said left and right side portions, thereby allowing the operator to operate the watercraft in said seated position regardless of the rotation of said seat.

Problems solved by technology

Both systems have disadvantages and inefficiencies which have not been addressed to date.

There are several problems which such conventional tiller steering arrangements.

First, any movement of the operator's steering arm to direct the motor's thrust also effects the throttle position, which may not be desired.

Simultaneous steering and throttle control can therefore be tricky, and can result in unintended and dangerous manoeuvres.

Second, this arrangement typically causes arm strain, particularly on long trips, where an operator is constantly changing throttle position, such as when fishing.

Third, the operator's direct contact with engine vibrations can create operator fatigue or numbness.

However, a drawback of such new hulls and stronger engines is that they can not be interchanged with tiller systems because a tiller operator could not control the additional horsepower.

Although a console type watercraft can use a greater range of horse power, the console is in a fixed position, which is not always good for boat control.

Conventional remote steering boats suffer from further disadvantages, particularly when used for sport fishing.

The wind screen on the steering console interferes with use of a fishing rod, particularly when casting.

Further, the sonar and other equipment designed to locate fish is typically located at the console, and so is out of reach and sight of the fisherman.

Even if the fisherman is seated at the console, he is often turned away from the console, making it difficult and inconvenient to view and operate the console equipment.

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